Deadline: 09-Jul-2026
The Equipment and Activity Grant provides financial assistance to children and young people with physical disabilities in New Zealand to access equipment, services, and activities that improve independence, mobility, participation, and overall wellbeing. The grant helps families meet disability-related needs that support everyday living, education, recreation, and community involvement.
The program is designed to enhance quality of life by funding practical supports that enable children and young people to participate more fully in home, school, and community activities.
Overview
The Equipment and Activity Grant supports disability-related equipment, services, and activities that help children and young people overcome barriers created by physical disabilities.
Funding is intended to promote greater independence, improve mobility, support participation in daily life, and enhance overall wellbeing. The grant recognizes that access to appropriate equipment and activities can play a vital role in helping young people achieve their full potential.
Applications must relate directly to the child’s physical disability needs and demonstrate how the requested support will improve participation, independence, or quality of life.
Funding Amount
Eligible applicants may receive:
- Up to $5,750 (including GST) per child or young person
Funding is available for approved disability-related equipment, services, and activities that meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Program Objectives
The grant aims to:
- Improve independence for children and young people with physical disabilities
- Enhance mobility and daily functioning
- Support participation in education and community life
- Increase access to disability-related equipment and services
- Improve wellbeing and quality of life
- Promote inclusion and social participation
- Assist families in meeting disability-related needs
- Support meaningful engagement in age-appropriate activities
Projects and requests should demonstrate a clear benefit to the applicant’s daily life and development.
What Can the Grant Support?
Funding may be used for equipment, services, or activities that directly address disability-related needs.
Examples may include:
- Mobility equipment
- Assistive technology
- Adaptive equipment
- Disability-related services
- Recreational activities
- Educational support equipment
- Participation-focused programs
- Community engagement activities
- Daily living aids
- Independence-supporting resources
The requested item or activity must be linked to the applicant’s physical disability and provide a clear functional benefit.
Who Can Apply?
The grant is available to:
- Children and young people aged 21 years and under
- Individuals with a physical disability that significantly affects body function or mobility
- Applicants living within the eligible service regions of The Wilson Home Trust in the upper North Island of New Zealand
Applications must focus primarily on needs arising from the applicant’s physical disability.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be 21 years of age or younger
- Have a diagnosed physical disability
- Experience significant limitations in mobility or body function
- Reside within the Trust’s eligible service area
- Apply for future needs rather than past purchases
- Meet all documentation requirements
The grant is intended to support disability-related needs that contribute to greater participation and independence.
Eligible Service Area
The program is available to applicants residing within the eligible regions served by The Wilson Home Trust in the upper North Island of New Zealand.
Applicants should ensure they meet the location requirements before submitting an application.
Financial Need Assessment
Applicants holding a Community Services Card may be eligible under standard financial assessment processes.
Applicants without a Community Services Card may still qualify if their household income falls within the program’s financial need thresholds.
Income limits vary according to family size and currently range from:
- $80,000 for a family of two
- Up to $175,000 for a family of eight
Where applicable, applicants must submit a Financial Need Detail Form as part of the application process.
Ineligible Requests
The grant does not support:
- Retrospective funding for items already purchased
- Intensive therapies
- Overseas therapies
- Requests that do not relate to the applicant’s physical disability
- Costs incurred before approval
Applicants should ensure all requests relate to future needs and meet the program’s funding criteria.
Application Assessment
Applications are reviewed to ensure funding is directed toward appropriate disability-related supports.
Assessment may consider:
- Relevance to the applicant’s disability needs
- Expected benefit and impact
- Level of independence gained
- Participation outcomes
- Financial need
- Availability of supporting evidence
- Compliance with grant requirements
- Availability of funding resources
The Trust aims to ensure funding is used effectively to support meaningful outcomes for children and young people.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants may be required to provide:
- Medical evidence confirming the disability
- Professional recommendations
- Quotations for requested items or services
- Proof of eligibility
- Financial Need Detail Form (if applicable)
- Additional supporting documentation requested by the Trust
Providing complete documentation can help avoid delays during assessment.
Application Timeframes
The review process depends on the amount requested.
Applications Under $575
- Processed within approximately 3 working days
Applications Above $575
- Reviewed by the Grants Committee
- Committee meetings are generally held every six weeks
Processing times may vary depending on the completeness of the application and supporting documentation.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that:
- The applicant is 21 years of age or younger.
- The applicant has a qualifying physical disability.
- The applicant lives within the eligible service area.
Step 2: Identify the Need
Clearly explain:
- The equipment, service, or activity required
- How it relates to the disability
- The expected benefits for participation, independence, or wellbeing
Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents
Prepare:
- Medical evidence
- Professional recommendations
- Quotations
- Financial information (if required)
Applications supported by clear documentation are generally easier to assess.
Step 4: Complete the Application
Provide all requested information and ensure the application focuses on future disability-related needs.
Step 5: Submit Before Purchasing
Do not purchase equipment or services before approval, as retrospective applications are not accepted.
Step 6: Await Assessment
Applications will be reviewed according to the funding amount and committee schedule.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly demonstrate how the request supports independence or participation.
- Provide detailed and current medical documentation.
- Include accurate quotations for requested items.
- Explain the practical benefits for everyday life.
- Submit all required forms and supporting documents.
- Apply before making any purchases.
- Ensure the request directly relates to physical disability needs.
- Check financial eligibility requirements if you do not hold a Community Services Card.
Why This Grant Matters
Children and young people with physical disabilities often require specialized equipment, services, and opportunities that can be costly and difficult to access. These supports can significantly improve mobility, independence, participation, and overall wellbeing.
The Equipment and Activity Grant helps remove financial barriers by providing funding for disability-related needs that enhance everyday life. By supporting participation at home, in school, and within the community, the grant helps young people develop skills, build confidence, and engage more fully in the activities that matter to them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How much funding is available?
- Eligible applicants may receive up to $5,750 including GST.
- Who can apply?
- Children and young people aged 21 years and under with a physical disability affecting body function or mobility.
- Can funding be used for items already purchased?
- No. Retrospective funding is not permitted.
- Are therapies eligible for funding?
- Intensive therapies and overseas therapies are not funded under this grant.
- What documents are required?
- Applicants may need medical evidence, professional recommendations, quotations, and financial documentation where applicable.
- How long does the assessment process take?
- Applications under $575 are generally processed within 3 working days, while larger requests are reviewed approximately every six weeks.
- Can applicants without a Community Services Card apply?
- Yes. Applicants may qualify under household income assessment criteria if they meet the specified financial thresholds.
Conclusion
The Equipment and Activity Grant provides important financial support to children and young people with physical disabilities across eligible regions of New Zealand. By funding equipment, services, and activities that improve mobility, independence, participation, and wellbeing, the program helps young people engage more fully in everyday life and achieve meaningful personal outcomes. Eligible families are encouraged to apply and ensure all supporting documentation is provided to strengthen their application.
For more information, visit The Wilson Home Trust.
